DIY Ground Anchor
Exterior buildings, such as sheds or tents, are subject to high winds. Any building that is not secured blows over readily in a solid gust of wind. You should always anchor your buildings using materials made for that type of construction, but that can get expensive. A cheaper, do-it-yourself option involves using rebar and a shovel. The rebar is cheap and you can cut it to any size. The raised threads allow rebar to catch the ground better than smooth stakes and provide more stability than standard anchors.
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Cut two lengths of rebar with an angle grinder based upon the structure you will be anchoring. A 3-foot length will be sufficient for most small buildings. Four feet of rebar will better suit a larger building such as a carport or full-sized shed. The measurements do not have to be accurate.
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Place 3 to 4 inches of the rebar into a vice, and tighten the vice down. Bend the rebar by hand until the end of the rebar is hooked. You want the hook to be shaped like a "J" leaving both ends pointing in the same direction while the majority of the length of the rebar remains straight. You may have to use a small mallet to help bend the bar. Do this for both sections of rebar.
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Dig a hole 1 to 2 ft. wide by 1 ft. deep.
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Hammer one piece of rebar into the center of the hole angled towards the building using a sledge hammer or mallet. Leave the top J hook above ground. Twist the rebar until the curved end of the "J" points away from the building.
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Anchor this piece with the second piece of rebar. Hook the "J" of the second piece over the straight shank of the first and drive it into the ground until the first piece is firmly anchored.
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Backfill the hole with dirt. You can use cement for added stability.
Tips
- You can use three strips of rebar with the second and third at an angle to each other below the ground for increased stability.
Photo Credits
- wheelbarrow on rebar image by Derek Abbott from Fotolia.com
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